Method Of and System For Generating Laser Processing Data, Computer Program For Generating Laser Processing Data and Laser Marking System

Abstract

Laser processing data based on which a laser processing system scans a work with a laser beam adjustable in focal distance in two dimensions is generate by specifying a two-dimensional pattern in an X-Y coordinate plane and a shift pitch at which the two-dimensional pattern is shifted in a Z-axis direction and repeatedly shifting the two-dimensional pattern at the shift pitch in the Z-axis direction in synchronism with the scan with the two-dimensional pattern.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method of and system for generating laser processing data representing a processing pattern based on which a laser processing system processes a subject surface by varying a focal distance of a laser beam during a scan of a subject surface in two dimensions by the laser beam, a computer program for implementing the method of generating the laser processing data, and a laser marking system including the system for generating the laser processing data. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Laser processing systems are used to process a given surface of a work (work surface) by scanning the work surface in two dimensions with a laser beam generated by a laser oscillator. The laser beam focused on the work surface is moved in X and Y directions in a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of an X-Y scanner. Such a laser processing system is widely used as a laser marking system ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] By means of the processing data generating system capable of generating a three-dimensional processing pattern by specifying two-dimensional subject pattern information and a three-dimensional profile of printing surface at the user's option, it is facilitated to obtain a three-dimensional processing pattern such as a cutting pattern for engraving a work with a subject pattern including thick cut lines or a cut surface greater in width than a minuscule laser beam spot by specifying a simplified two-dimensional processing pattern and a shift pitch at which the simplified two-dimensional processing pattern is continuously or intermittently shifted. Conventionally, although the use of a minuscule laser beam spot realizes processing of a sharp profile of pattern with high precision, it imposes difficulties in pattern design on users if intending to engrave a thick cut line or a cut surface greater in width than the minuscule laser beam spot. By contrast, the processing data generating system enables users to automatically create a three-dimensional processing pattern by means of specifying a simplified two-dimensional processing pattern and a shift pitch at which the simplified two-dimensional processing pattern is continuously or intermittently shifted and redounds on precise laser processing by reduced man-hour.

[0011] In particular, when it is intended to engrave a three-dimensional subject pattern having a depth greater than a laser beam spot, a three-dimensional processing pattern is easily created. For instance, when engraving a three-dimensional pattern having a two-dimensional pattern in a reference surface of a work and a depth greater than the laser beam spot in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane, a three-dimensional processing pattern sufficiently precise enough to realize a laser processing task with high precision is easily created.

Problems solved by technology

Conventionally, although the use of a minuscule laser beam spot realizes processing of a sharp profile of pattern with high precision, it imposes difficulties in pattern design on users if intending to engrave a thick cut line or a cut surface greater in width than the minuscule laser beam spot.

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